HK hopes to restore multiple-entry travel permit for SZers

Hong Kong wishes to restore the issuance of multiple-entry travel permits for Shenzhen residents to attract more tourists, according to the Special Administrative Region’s chief executive (CE).

Hong Kong has asked the Central Government to reinstate the multiple-entry policy for Shenzhen residents, HK CE John Lee said during his third policy address Thursday.

In the past, Shenzhen residents could apply for unlimited round trips to Hong Kong with a single one-year endorsement. But in 2015, the policy was adjusted to allow only one trip to Hong Kong per week because the number of Chinese mainland visitors to the SAR increased so much that its tourism carrying capacity was brought to the limit.

Mainland tourists pause to frame a shot on a bustling street in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Commercial Daily 

Lee also noted that Hong Kong wishes to expand the coverage of its “one trip per week” single endorsement policy that is now valid for Shenzhen to other cities.

Hong Kong’s tourism industry took a big hit during the COVID-19 years. Even though the number of visitors has somewhat recovered since the end of the pandemic, the local retail industry has not yet returned to the pre-pandemic levels.

More than 29.5 million tourists visited Hong Kong in the first eight months of the year, up nearly 44% from a year earlier, according to data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Among them, over 22.9 million were Chinese mainland residents, up 39% in the period but recovering only to 55% of the level in the same period of 2018.

Hong Kong’s total retail sales of consumer goods likely fell 10% to HK$29.2 billion (US$3.8 billion) in August from a year earlier, according to the latest data from the city’s census and statistics department. In the eight months ended Aug. 31, the figure is expected to have dropped 7.7%.

The decline in retail sales is caused by various factors, according to analysts. For example, mainland visitors now travel to Hong Kong more to enjoy the local culture than for shopping-oriented purposes.